jazzville skyline: “…through the lens of his soul…”

We all know that New York City is the centre of the world…It has the greatest food, the greatest music, the greatest people…every business looks to it…every heart listens to it…

Director Martin Scorsese says he loves to shoot there because there is no bad shot…

And, it is definitely the best place for people-watching, especially if you are Bill Cunningham, photographer and journalist for the New York Times…

He watches fashion…But it’s not only the runways that catch his attention, Bill has his eyes on the alleyways as well, knowing full well that New Yorkers have a style all to themselves…

And this isn’t just a job…he lives and breathes this stuff, as evident in the wonderful new documentary, “Bill Cunningham New York”…

You see his humble beginnings, as well as his humble abode, which, as the film was being shot, it looked like he might not have much longer…

He lives, of all places, in an apartment in Carnegie Hall, the wonderful New York concert hall which sprouts creativity from both sides of the stage, as witnessed through his friends and neighbors in the building…

But the real witnessing takes place out on the streets, as Bill cruises on his bicycle, while rubbing shoulders with everyone and anyone…and I do mean everyone who is anyone, and anyone who is no one…It doesn’t matter to him what your status is…just what you’re wearing…

And his heart plays a big part as well…His charity priorities fall in line with the sentiment of what the charity does, not who will attend their event…

Yes…New York is the centre of the world…and people like Bill Cunningham are the reason why…